St. Paul restaurant owner punched over parking

The owner of a popular dining spot near the Xcel Energy Center took a punch in the face and fell to the ground during a confrontation over parking outside his restaurant with a 21-year-old man, authorities said on Monday.

Dave Cossetta, 56, was punched late Friday morning shortly before the doors were opened at Cossetta on W. 7th Street in St. Paul, just down the street from the home of the Minnesota Wild, according to police.

Cossetta came away slightly injured. The suspect, from Gem Lake, Minn., was arrested on suspicion of fifth-degree assault, jailed and released pending charges.

The conflict was over whether the man could park in the lot without paying, said police spokesman Howie Padilla.